Excessive sweating is a surprisingly common problem. However, although many people do suffer from some degree of embarrassing sweating, it is nonetheless a taboo subject and can have a serious impact on the sufferer’s daily life.<\/p>\n
Sweating itself is a normal bodily function, intended to keep the body temperature steady. That’s why sweat levels increase in hot weather, during exercise or when we are ill.<\/p>\n
However, patients suffering from excessive sweating sweat more than normal, even on cool days or when they are relatively inactive.<\/p>\n
This is the most common form of excessive sweating and is characterised by a localised “problem area”, usually the underarms, hands, feet or forehead\/face\/scalp. The patient will sweat normally on the rest of the body, but find that sweating is abnormally high in the affected area.<\/p>\n
The condition can be made worse by stress, spicy food and heat; but there doesn’t have to be any particular trigger.<\/p>\n
Using a good anti-perspirant (that represses sweating as well as masks any odours) is a starting point in treatment.<\/p>\n
However, most hyperhidrosis patients have tried a range of products and found that while they do make a difference, they are insufficient to stop the embarrassing wet-patches.<\/p>\n
Doctors are able to prescribe aluminium chloride anti-perspirants which are applied at night, but skin reactions and rashes are quite common.<\/p>\n
Loose clothing is advisable and it is best to choose natural fibres such as cotton, which are cooler to wear than synthetic fibres such as polyester.<\/p>\n